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Taking God's Healing Love to the Nations
Bearing Fruit in Bolivia
The July 2006 Bolivia Evangelistic Campaign
By: Bob Jepsen, Director
Meg and I returned from Bolivia with hearts full of gratitude for the many rich blessings we received during our 15-day mission trip. We felt welcomed, nurtured, and loved by so many people. The Bolivian people are very generous and kind and affectionate. Our greatest joy was to witness the amazing ways that God's Spirit was so evident in touching and transforming the lives of those whom we were called to serve. There is no doubt that much good fruit for the Kingdom of God was established; praise to God! Let me share with you several examples of this.
Over 20 different churches participated including 25 pastors.
The primary purpose of this mission was to bless pastors and leaders so that they can be a blessing to their congregations. We accomplished this goal through a full week of teaching, training and equipping those attending the seminar. Topics included, "Biblical Basis for Healing", "The Father's Love", "Forgiving Others and Ourselves", "Overcoming addictions", "Blocks to Healing", "Finding Healing from Sexual Wounds", and "How to Pray for Physical Healing". Each session consisted of lively worship and praise, testimonies, a teaching, and a time for prayer ministry. An average of 150 participated every night in two locations (downtown La Paz and El Alto). While I was delivering teaching in one location, Jose Gutierrez taught in the other and then we alternated the following evenings. Russell Cochran helped minister with Jose. Many received prayer for inner (emotional) healing as well as prayer for physical needs. Over 20 different churches participated including 25 pastors. On the final day of the training, we held an evangelistic-healing service at which approximately 400 people attended. About 30 persons were our prayer ministry team.
Once again, on this mission, we witnessed several physical healings. One woman who suffered from a nerve problem in both knees received an immediate healing. During prayer, with the laying-on-of-hands, the pain she experienced left. Days later she said the pain never returned. Another woman, whom we prayed for last October, has been healed of liver cancer. Her doctors have said there is no trace of cancer. One of the thrilling miracles was the healing of deafness in the ears of an older man. What is so special is that it was the prayers of pastor Ronald, of Cristo Salvador Anglican Church, God honored to deliver this blessing. This pastor's faith took a giant leap forward as a result!
His entire life he believed he had no real worth, that his birth was a mistake. During one of the worship times the Holy Spirit "fell" on him, filling him with the Father's love.
As wonderful as these healings of physical ailments are, even more significant, I believe, are the healings of soul and spirit. In addition to our teaching and training, we ministered to the wounds, hurts, and emotional pain of pastors and church leaders. Several pastors gave testimony of a life-transforming experience during the seminar. One pastor shared how God touched him in a powerful manner. His entire life he believed he had no real worth, that his birth was a mistake. During one of the worship times the Holy Spirit "fell" on him, filling him with the Father's love. As he shared with his peers, now he knows how valuable he is in God's sight. Wow! That would be worth the entire trip! An older pastor who came to me for prayer said his heart was broken ever since one of his sons committed suicide five years ago. I watched as the Lord used my translator to minister to this dear, seasoned pastor. He wept and wept, and by the grace of God forgave his son and his broken heart was healed. There are many other miracles that occurred through the healing power of forgiveness. A number of women received a deep-heart healing and were set free from sexual abuse.
One final blessing I wish to mention. This was an unexpected event of the week. Pastor Ronald, Jose Gutierrez and I were asked to visit in San Pedro Prison, in the middle of La Paz. We had no idea what we were supposed to do. I think this is called faith! Obviously, God had His plan. They took us to a small chapel, up some old stairs to an "upper room". When we walked in about a dozen men were engaged in Spirit-led praise and worship with shouts of "Viva Cristo!" Following the worship the prison pastor introduced us and we each offered a brief greeting. What followed was totally awesome. Jose was led to share his personal testimony, with the blessing of the pastor.
Then, we invited the men to receive prayer. For the next hour we ministered to over 30 men. The word must have spread because men kept pouring into the chapel. These men came like children, hurting, searching, and open to the presence of the Lord. Four men gave their lives to Christ and accepted him as Savior with tears. One man told us God had moved him to come that day and he had fasted. Thank you Jesus!
Meg and I want to thank you for your partnership in this beautiful mission. Surely, God hears our prayers and responds with greater blessings than we could ever imagine. We believe this mission will produce good fruit that will last. The Lord is fulfilling his vision for a mighty revival in Bolivia and throughout South America. All glory to Him!
Bob +
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